SAD follows double standards on FDI in multi-brand retail: Sharma

Union commerce minister Anand Sharma on Wednesday accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of adopting double standards on foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, saying the party first supported it and then took an U-turn after its ally BJP opposed it.

"Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal had sent a letter (of support on FDI in multi-brand retail issue) and urged us to pass the bill. When the UPA government passed the bill, the Badals (chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir) also sent a congratulatory letter,"Sharma claimed at a conference in Banur here.

He alleged that after "arm twisting by the BJP", SAD changed its stance and opposed the FDI in multi-brand retail.